Intelligent claw

ABSTRACT

A device for analyzing milk in order to determine the health of milk animals and/or the quality and composition of the milk obtained from these animals comprises a milking circuit which forms part of a milking machine and is connected to the milking cups adapted for connection to the teats of the animals. In this milking circuit sensors are disposed within a housing to determine parameters relevant to the health of the animals and/or the quality and composition of the milk. The device further comprises data processing means adapted to process signals determining these parameters and provided by the sensors and to make knowable the processing results thereof. The data processing device are arranged in or on the same housing as in which or on which the sensors themselves are arranged.

A device for analyzing milk

The present invention relates to a device for analyzing milk in order todetermine the health of milk animals and/or the quality and compositionof the milk obtained from these animals, comprising a milking circuitwhich forms part of a milking machine and is connected to the milkingcups adapted for connection to the teats of the animals, in whichmilking circuit sensors are disposed within a housing to determineparameters relevant to the health of the animals and/or the quality andcomposition of the milk, which device further comprises data processingmeans adapted to process signals determining these parameters andprovided by the sensors and to make knowable the processing resultsthereof.

Such parameters may relate to the electric conductivity of the milkwhich may be an indication of mastitis, the temperature of the milk(which is higher in the fertile period of the animal, or when it has,e.g., mastitis) nearly immediately after it has been collected via themilking cups, the cell count (SCC or somatic cell count) of the milkwhich indicates the degree in which the milk is free from bacteria, andthe content in the milk of proteins, fats, progesterone (a hormone whichis less produced in the fertile period of the animal), urea, lactose,penicillin, or other antibiotics, etc.

To determine such quantities, there may be used all kinds of known perse sensors, such as conductivity sensors, temperature sensors,frequency-controlled dielectricity measuring elements, etc.

These sensors are disposed within a separate housing in the place wherethey can carry out relevant measurements. In practice, it is known toarrange sensors in different places in the milking circuit of themilking machine, in particular in the milk lines extending from themilking cups, in the milk claw, in a milk meter or milk gauge glassconnected thereto, etc. From the sensors the signal lines extend toprovide the measured data, while, furthermore, a supply line will extendto the sensors. The signal lines extend to data processing meansarranged elsewhere, such as, e.g., a computer for processing the signalsprovided by the sensors and making knowable the processing resultsthereof. Such a system has the drawback that relatively long lines arenecessary which are rather susceptible to trouble in a parlor in whichthe milking machine is installed, while in the place where the animalsare milked the lines are very susceptible to damage owing to thepresence of the animals; the animals may tread milking apparatus, and inparticular the different lines, to pieces or tread off the milk hoses.

It is an object of the invention to remove or at least substantiallyreduce this drawback.

According to the invention the device as defined in the preamble ischaracterized in that the data processing means are arranged in or onthe same housing as in which or on which the sensors themselves arearranged.

By arranging the data processing means, in particular a microprocessorwith associated electronic devices, in or on the same housing as inwhich or on which the sensors themselves are arranged, thesusceptibility to trouble can be substantially reduced. When severalsensors, optionally of a different kind, are arranged in or on ahousing, the number of signal lines may be substantially limited as wellor even be left out completely when in or on the housing of the sensorsand the data processing means there are also arranged transmitting meansfor transmitting the resulting data to receiving means installedelsewhere. The supply line for the data processing means may be left outas well, namely by using a supply source without such a supply line,such as, e.g., a battery or a different supply element which can bearranged at or near the data processing means.

For some of the above-mentioned parameters it is favorable if they aredetermined for all the udder quarters separately; this particularlyapplies to the electric conductivity of the milk to enable thedetermination of mastitis already at an early stage and the cell count.The sensors for these parameters will therefore preferably be disposedin the milk lines extending from the milking cups or in the milk claw,if at least present. In fact, the milk lines from the milking cups maybe passed both directly to a milk collecting buffer, such as a milkmeter or milk gauge glass, and via a milk claw from where only milk lineleads to such a milk collecting buffer. For the other parameters statedit is often sufficient for even desirable that they are determined forthe mixed milk, i.e. for the milk from the udder quarters together. Thesensors for these parameters will therefore preferably be disposedwithin the milk collecting buffer or within the milk claw or the linefrom the milk claw to the milk collecting buffer, of course again, ifsuch a milk claw is present. Besides, one or more different sensors mayalso be disposed in a milk line and also one or more sensors in a milkcollecting buffer or in a milk claw. In all these cases, however, thehousing for the sensors should be such that the data processing meanscan be arranged therein and even transmitting means and/or a supplysource, if required. Of course, this should not or substantially notimpede the through-flow of the milk.

In a preferred embodiment the device according to the invention ischaracterized in that the housing for one or more sensors and for thedata processing means is formed by a milk claw. In particular, at leastone sensor to be contacted with the milk from a relevant udder quarteris then arranged in or near the place where each of the milk lines fromthe relevant milking cups opens into the milk claw, which sensor iselectrically connected to the data processing means fixed to the wall ofthe milk claw. Thus, in or near the place where the milk lines from themilking cups open into the milk claw, the sensors may be formed by aconductivity sensor and a temperature sensor. The conductivity sensorand the temperature sensor may then form one whole, i.e. be integratedtogether; the temperature sensor may be arranged, e.g., in theconductivity sensor. Through this construction not only the conductivitybut the temperature of the milk from the individual udder quarters ismeasured. In case of an inflammation in an udder quarter, both sensorsgive a deviating value.

The data processing means may be arranged, in a constructionallyfavorable manner, on the inside of the upper wall of the milk claw,while one or more further sensors to be contacted with the mixed milkare arranged below the data processing means. In a specific exemplaryembodiment each of the sensors in or near the place where the milk linesfrom the milking cups open into the milk claw is formed by aconductivity sensor, and the sensor arranged below the data processingmeans is formed by a temperature sensor.

In an alternative embodiment the data processing means are arranged onthe inside of the upper wall of the milk claw, while on the sidethereof, below the opening of each of the milk lines from the fourmilking cups into the milk claw, a sensor is arranged.

The invention not only relates to a device for analyzing milk but alsoto a milk claw comprising such a device.

The invention will now be explained in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

FIG. 1 shows a milk claw with the device according to the invention in afirst embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a milk claw with such a device in a second embodiment;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of the device according to the invention,with this device being included in the milk line between the milking cupand a milk collecting buffer, while

FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a supply source of the deviceshown in FIGS. 1-3.

For clarity's sake, the milk claw, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, only hastwo connections for a milking cup. When milking goats, this will besufficient; when milking cows, however, a milk claw will have four ofsuch connections, which are preferably situated symmetrically around thecentral body of the milk claw.

Likewise, for clarity's sake, FIG. 3 shows only one of the four milklines between a milking cup and a common milk collecting buffer.

Corresponding parts in FIGS. 1 and 2 are further indicated by the samereference numerals.

FIG. 1 shows a milk claw 1 with the device according to the invention ina first embodiment. The milk claw 1 comprises connections 2 for milklines 3 extending from the milking cups (not shown) and from a dischargeconnection 4 for a discharge line 5, via which milk obtained through themilking cups from the individual udder quarters of a milk animal iscommonly discharged to a milk collecting buffer (not shown) or, ifrequired, directly to a milk tank. The milk from the individual udderquarters mixing in the milk claw 1 is designated here as mixed milk.Disposed within the connections 2 are known per se electric conductivitysensors 6, the conductivity of the milk being determined between twoelectrodes 7 in a space of defined size. The space is filled from thetop with the milk flowing from the relevant milking cup, while at thebottom of this space a small opening 8 may be present, via which themilk can flow away. In view of the fact that these sensors have longsince been known, the operation thereof need not be discussed in detail.Disposed on the inside of the upper wall of the milk claw 1 are the dataprocessing means 9. These data processing means 9 comprise amicroprocessor with associated electronic devices adapted to process andmake knowable the signals from the sensors outwardly. Connected to thedata processing means 9 are the electrodes 7 of the conductivity sensors6. Within the milk claw 1 is further disposed a temperature sensor 10connected to the data processing means 9. The signals from the four milkconductivity sensors 6 and the temperature sensor 10 are directlyprocessed in the data processing means 9. This may be referred to as amilk analysis carried out online and on real-time basis. Theconductivity values of the milk from the individual udder quarters arethen compared to each other, while, moreover, these values are comparedto an average value thereof over, e.g., the last ten days. Suchprocessing of milk conductivity values is known per se, but is carriedout in the known devices by means of a remotely installed generalcomputer with the inherent drawbacks, as already indicated above. It hasbeen found in practice that the short distance between the electrodes 7and the data processing means 9 results in a reduced susceptibility totrouble and thus to a greater accuracy in the determination of the milkconductivity, so that mastitis, too, can be signalized in a very earlystage in which it is, e.g., latently present only in one udder quarter.

Similarly, the values measured by the temperature sensor 10 may beprocessed and compared to the progressive average determined for thembefore, so that even a gradual change in the temperature of the milk andthus of the animal can already be signalized in good time. Here, too,the great advantage of the more reliable and accurate measurements isobtained through the short distance between the temperature sensor 10and the data processing means 9. Reporting the results of the dataprocessing outwardly may take place by means of an output cable. Tooptimally avoid cable work in the milking place, and in particular underthe animal, the milk claw 1 comprises a transmitter which, in thefigure, is disposed within the data processing means 9. Via thistransmitter, deviating conductivity values of the milk from one or moreof the udder quarters relative to the other udder quarters, deviationsof conductivity values from the progressive average thereof, anddeviations of the temperature from the progressive average thereof aretransmitted to a remotely installed receiver coupled to a centralcomputer or specific signalizing means. The data processing means 9 mayalso comprise a receiver for the wireless supply of information to thedata processing means 9 at a distance from the milk claw by means of atransmitter. To avoid cable work, the milk claw 1 comprises a battery ora similar supply element.

But also if a supply line and a data output line are necessary, theadvantage is obtained yet that the number of lines is substantiallylimited as compared to the situation in which individual supply linesand data output lines from the individual sensors were necessary.

In FIG. 2 a similar milk claw 1 is shown as in FIG. 1, but here the milkconductivity sensors 6 are disposed in the middle of the milk claw 1,namely below the connections 2, while, furthermore, a data output line11 from the data processing means 9 is shown. Instead of the temperaturesensor 10 connected to the data processing means, as shown in FIG. 1, afurther sensor 12 is disposed here in the discharge connection 4 of themilk claw 1. The signal lines from this sensor 12 are connected to thedata processing means 9 arranged at a short distance therefrom. Here,too, the sensor 12 may be formed by a temperature sensor, although thissensor, like the sensor 10 in FIG. 1, may also be formed by one of theother sensors mentioned above.

FIG. 3 shows a sensor combination with data processing means in theindividual milk lines between the relevant milking cups and a commonmilk collecting buffer. Although four of such sensor combinations arepresent, only one is shown. The sensor combination 13 forms part of athrough-flow line section 14 which is disposed in the milk line 15between a relevant milking cup 16 and the common milk collecting buffer17. The through-flow line section 14 and a part of the milk lines 15 areenlarged, for clarity's sake. The sensor combination comprises aconductivity sensor 18 of the type as already shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, afurther sensor 19, and the data processing means 20. Within the dataprocessing means there are also disposed a transmitter and a battery ora similar supply element. The sensor 19 may be a temperature sensor orone of the other sensors mentioned above.

In particular, the sensors 10, 12 and 19 may be formed by afrequency-controlled dielectric sensor, the dielectric being formed bythe milk. At specific frequencies the presence of specific amounts ofcomponents in the milk, in particular fats and proteins, may bedetermined by measuring the capacity and conductivity betweenelectrodes. Since such sensors are also known, the operation thereofneed not be discussed in detail. Preferably, the device comprises asupply source 22 which, in use, is arranged to generate electric energyon the basis of pulsating air or gas pressure differences in thehousing. These pulsating pressure differences are generated, in a mannerknown per se, in the housing containing the sensors, i.e. in the milkingcircuit of the device forming part of a milking device for milking theanimals. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2 the supply source 22 is placedin the milk claw to provide the data processing means with energy. Inthe example of FIG. 3 the supply source 22 is disposed in thethrough-flow line section 14. The supply-source 22 may consist of, e.g.,a housing 24 with an opening 26 closed by a diaphragm 28. The diaphragm28 is connected with a solid magnetic body 30 which is movably disposedwithin a coil 32. The pulsating air and gas pressure differencesoccurring on the outside of the housing 22 will cause the diaphragm 28to reciprocate the body 30 in the direction of the arrow 34 with theresult that a pulsating induction voltage is generated in the coil 32.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments describedabove with reference to the figures, but comprises all kinds ofmodifications, of course as far as falling within the scope ofprotection of the following claims. Thus, it is possible that atemperature sensor is assembled with each of the conductivity sensors,so that the conductivity and temperature of the milk from each udderquarter can be measured separately, so that a latent mastitis can bedetermined in a very reliable manner, since it manifests itself both ina higher conductivity of the milk and in a higher temperature. Theresult of the processing of the conductivity data and the temperaturedata may be interrelated with each other.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for analyzing milk to determine at leastone of the health of milk animals and the quality and composition of themilk obtained from the animals, the device comprising a milking circuitwhich forms part of a milking machine and is connected to the milkingcups adapted for connection to the teats of the animals, in whichmilking circuit sensors are disposed within a housing to determineparameters relevant to at least one of the health of the animals and thequality and composition of the milk, the device further comprises dataprocessing means adapted to process signals determining the parametersand provided by the sensors and to make knowable the processing resultsthereof, the data processing means being included with the housing ofthe sensors.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing ofthe sensors and the data processing means includes transmitting meansfor transmitting the resulting data to receiving means installedelsewhere.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the housing for oneor more sensors and for the data processing means is formed by a milkclaw.
 4. A device according to claim 3, wherein at least adjacent to aplace where each of the milk lines from the relevant milking cups opensinto the milk claw there is arranged at least one sensor to be contactedwith the milk from a relevant udder quarter, which sensor iselectrically connected to the data processing means fixed to the wall ofthe milk claw.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the place wherethe milk lines from the milking cups open into the milk claw the sensorsare formed by a conductivity sensor and a temperature sensor.
 6. Adevice according to claim 5, wherein the conductivity sensor and thetemperature sensor form one whole.
 7. A device according to claim 4,wherein the data processing means are arranged on the inside of theupper wall of the milk claw and one or more further sensors to becontacted with the mixed milk are disposed below the data processingmeans.
 8. A device according to claim 7, wherein each of the sensorslocated where the milk lines from the milking cups open into the milkclaw is formed by a conductivity sensor and the sensor disposed belowthe data processing means is formed by a temperature sensor.
 9. A deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the data processing means are arranged onthe inside of the upper wall of the milk claw, while on the sidethereof, below the opening of each of the milk lines from the fourmilking cups into the milk claw, a sensor is arranged.
 10. A deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a supply sourcewithout an external supply lines.
 11. A device according to claim 10,wherein the supply source is arranged to generated, in use, electricenergy on the basis of one of pulsating air and gas pressure differencesin the housing.
 12. A device according to claim 11, further comprising asolid body which is moved on the basis of said one of air and gaspressure differences and, while being moved, generates electric energyin an electromagnetic manner.
 13. A milk claw comprising the deviceaccording to claim 1.